Connecting apparatus

ABSTRACT

ELECTICAL CONNECTING APPARATUS IN THE FORM OF A READILY TRANSPORTABLE DEVICE WHICH INCLUDES CONNECTOR JAWS ARRANGED TO BE OPERATED IN A SCISSOR-LIKE FASHION TO ESTABLISH ELECTRICAL CONNECTION BETWEEN A SOURCE OF ELECTRICITY AND A RESISTIVE CONDUCTOR WIRE EMBEDDED IN A SEALING STRIP OF HEAT CURABLE COMPOSITION.

Dec. 26, 1972 G, KENDALL ETAL 3,707,421

CONNECTING APPARATUS 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 12, 1970 D8:- 26, 1972KENDALL EIAL 3,707,421

CONNECTING APPARATUS Filed oct. 12, 1970 s Sheets-Sheet 2 Dec. 26, 1972I G. L. KENDALL ETAL 3,707,421

CONNECTING APPARATUS Filed Oct. 12, 1970 4 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 UnitedStates Patent O U.S. Cl. 156380 6 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSUREElectrical connecting apparatus in the form of a readily transportabledevice which includes connector jaws arranged to be operated in ascissor-like fashion to establish electrical connection between a sourceof electricity and a resistive conductor wire embedded in a sealingstrip of heat curable composition.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In U.S. Pat. No. 3,574,024, it is proposedto use, in the manufacture of a motor vehicle on a factory productionline, a method of bonding a window, for example a windscreen, in anaperture in the body part of the vehicle which method comprises applyingto surfaces of the window or of marginal portions of the aperture astrip of material which is heat-curable to a resilient state and whichhas a resistive conductor of electricity extending lengthwisetherethrough, electrically connecting the conductor with a supply ofelectricity, seating the window in the aperture so that the strip sealsthe gap between them and effecting curing of the material of the stripto a resilient state by passing an electric current through theconductor so that heat is generated therein, the strip thus being causedto bond to the window and to the body part and the window being seatedin the aperture by pressing the window and body part together whilst thestrip is soft. In carrying out this method, it has been proposed toconnect the resistive conductor, in the form of a wire, with the supplyof electricity by connector wires which carry crocodile clips which gripportions of the strip. In order to ensure adequate curing of the stripin carrying out this method, the material of the strip is removed ateach end portion of the strip to bare the end portions of the wire inorder to facilitate electrical contact between the clips and theconductor wire. However, occasionally satisfactory electrical contactmay not be made between the clips and the wire.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is one of the various objects of the presentinvention to provide apparatus which can be used in a motor vehiclefactory production line for electrically connecting a resistiveconductor wire, extending through a strip of heatcurable material usedfor bonding a window in an aperture of a motor vehicle body part, with asupply of electricity.

Accordingly, the invention provides in one of its various aspectsapparatus comprising a support, jaw assemblies mounted on the support,each jaw assembly comprising first and second jaw elements, each elementcomprising a knife edge portion and one of the elements of each jawassembly comprising an electrically-conductive portion, the apparatuscomprising means whereby when a portion of a resistive conductor wire isgripped in electrical contact with the electrically-conductive portionof the assembly relative movement may be brought about between theelements of the assembly so that the knife-edge portions exert ashearing action on the wire which is sufficient to establish electricalcontact between the wire and the electrically-conductive portion but isnot suflicient to 3,707,421 Patented Dec. 26, 1972 sever the wire, oneof the elements of each jaw assembly being shaped so as to retain theportion of the wirein electrical contact with theelectrically-conductive portion of the assembly when the portion of thewire is gripped between the knife-edge portions, and means forelectrically connecting the electrically-conductive portion of eachassembly with a supply of electricity.

We prefer that the knife edge portion of the first jaw element of eachassembly is spaced from the knife edge portion of the second jaw elementthereof in a first direction which extends heightwise of the elements,the elements being mounted so that their knife-edge portions can bemoved relative to each other in a second direction which extends atleast substantially perpendicular to said first direction so as to gripsaid portion of the resistive conductor wire.

There are preferably two jaw assemblies, the second elements of theassemblies being connected with means for moving the second elementssimultaneously away from their respective first elements to allowplacement of portions of the electrically-conductive wire in positionsso that they can be gripped in the jaw assemblies. Preferably the meansfor moving the second elements comprises link members which arepivotally fastened to a rotatable member and to the second elements, therotatable member being mounted on a pin which is secured to the support;more preferably the second element of each assembly is urged to move bya spring which is mounted on the pin and is arranged to urge therotatable member to rotate.

Preferably the second element of each assembly in an apparatus as setforth in the last preceding paragraph but two is substantially S-shapedand is pivotally secured upon the first element, the first element beingsecured to the support. Preferably the first element of each assemblyprovides the electrically-conductive portion thereof. We prefer that thefirst and second elements of each assembly are provided by first andsecond metal blades.

In an apparatus as set forth in the last preceding para graph but threewe prefer that the electrically-conductive portion of each assembly isconnected with the supply of electricity through a switch mounted on thesupport. Preferably means is provided for visually indicating completionof an electrical circuit between the electrically-conductive portions ofthe assemblies.

There now follows a detailed description which is to be read withreference to the drawings accompanying the specification; it is to beclearly understood that the illustrative apparatus and the illustrativemethod have been selected for description to illustrate the invention byway of example and not by way of limitation.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a plan view, with parts brokenaway, of the illustrative apparatus;

FIG. 2 is a view partly in section of the illustrative apparatus viewedin the direction of the arrow A in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a view of the illustrative apparatus viewed in the directionof the arrow B in FIG. 2.

DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATIVE APPARATUS AND METHOD The illustrativeapparatus is intended for use in connecting a resistive conductor wirewhich extends through a strip of material which is heat-curable to aresilient state and which in its cured condition bonds to glass and toprimed metal surfaces, with a source of electricity in carrying out theillustrative method which is a method of bonding a windscreen in anaperture therefor provided in a vehicle body using the strip ofmaterial. Examples of strips of material having a resistive conductorwire extending therethrough are disclosed in the above recited patent.

The illustrative apparatus comprises a support in the form of a casingcomprising a first casing part and a second casing part 11 which aresecured together by screws (not shown); a handle 12 is provided on thesecond casing part 11. The casing parts 10 and 11 and the handle 12 aremade of thermoplastic material, the casing parts 10 and 11 being formedby a rotational moulding process. Two jaw assemblies, generallyindicated at 14 and 16, are mounted on the support, and each jawassembly comprises a first jaw element in the form of a flat, metal,blade 18 which is secured to the first casing part 10 and a second jawelement in the form of a fiat, substantially S-shaped, metal, blade 20.The blades 18 and 20 each comprise a knife-edge portion 19, 21respectively and are partially enclosed within guard members 22 and 24,the guard member 22 being integrally formed with the first casing part10 and the guard member 24 being integrally formed with the secondcasing part 11. The two blades 18 and 20 of each jaw assembly 14 and 16are maintained in spaced-apart parallel relationship in a firstdirection extending heightwise of the blades by a spacer element 28 on apin 26 such that the blade 20 can pivot about the axis of the pin in asecond direction (clockwise or anti-clockwise) extending perpendicularlyto the first direction; the knife-edge portion 19 of the blade 18 ofeach assembly is spaced from the knife-edge portion 21 of the blade 20by a distance which is not greater than a minimum width of cross-sectionof a portion of the resistive conductor wire, the construction andarrangement being such that the knife-edge portions 19 and 21 exert ashearing action upon the portion of the wire which action is sufficientto cause the knife-edge portions to bite into the portion of the wirebut is not sufficient to sever the wire. Each pin 26 extends throughapertures provided in the two guard members 22 and 24. Each blade 18 isheld in spaced-apart relationship relative to the guard member 24 by asleeve 30 carried in the pin 26, and each blade 20 is maintained inspaced-apart relationship relative to the guard member 22 by a sleeve 32carried on the pin.

The head 34 of each pin 26 of the illustrative apparatus is urgedagainst a collar member 36 carried by the pin between the head 34 andthe guard member 24 by an internally threaded cap 38 which is threadedlyengaged upon a threaded end portion of the pin 26 remote from the head34, and is tightened upon the threaded end portion of the pin with theguard member 22 held between the cap 38 and the sleeve 32. The twoblades 20 of the jaw assemblies 14 and 16 of the illustrative apparatusare pivotally connected on stub shafts 40 with means for moving themabout the axis of the pins 26 whereby to open the two jaw assembliessimultaneously, the means comprising link members 42 which are of anelectrically non-conductive material and which are pivotally fastenedupon a rotatable member in the form of a disc 44 of an electricallynon-conductive material by pins 46 which have screw-threaded endportions threadedly-engaged in threaded recesses in the disc 44. The twopins 46 extend into bores of a cylindrical bush 48 and are eachthreadedly engaged in an internally-threaded lining 50 of each of theirrespective bores. The bush 48 extends through an aperture in the guardmember 24 and is provided with a handle portion 52 of the meansformoving the second elements. The disc 44 is supported in spaced-apartrelationship relative to the guard member 22 by a headed stud 54 whichextends through a central aperture in the disc and has a threaded recessin which is threadedly engaged a screw 56, the shank of the screwextending through an aperture in the guard member 22 so that the guardmember 22 is clamped between the head of the screw and the stud 54. Acoiled spring 58 is supported on the stud, end portions of the springbeing held by the disc 44 and guard member 22 respectively, theconstruction 4 and arrangement being such that, viewing FIG. 1, thespring 58 urges the disc 44 and the bush 48 to rotate in a clockwisedirection to a limit position which is determined by a stop member 60 ofthe disc 44 against which the two members 42 abut.

The two blades 18 of the jaw assemblies 14 and 16 of the illustrativeapparatus are connected electrically, in a circuit which includes acontrol switch 62, with a supply of electricity; means in the form of anindicating lamp 64 is provided in the circuit for providing visualindication of completion of the circuit between the first blades 18 ofthe two assemblies. Two water spray tubes 65 which are directed towardsthe knife-edge portions 19 and 21 of the blades 18 and 20 are connectedwith a water reservoir provided in the casing of the apparatus and aplunger 66 of a plunger assembly is provided for forcing water throughthe tubes 65 and onto the blades 18 and 20. The construction andarrangement of the plunger assembly is such that the plunger 66 cannotbe pressed while the electric circuit is closed.

In carrying out the illustrative method of bonding a windscreen in anaperture therefor provided in a 'vehicle body on a motor vehicle factoryproduction line, the illustrative apparatus is suspended from about theproduction line in such a manner that the apparatus can be positioned onthe roof of the car in preparation for carrying out the method. Incarrying out this method the strip of material in an uncured conditionis positioned between primed surface portions of the aperture and thewindscreen with end portions of the strip crossed over. The windscreenis seated in the aperture and is pressed into position, whilst the stripis soft and before the material of the strip has cured to a resilientstate, so that the strip seals a gap existing between the marginalsurfaces and the windscreen. The end portions 68 and 70 of the strip aregripped between the knife-edge portions 19 and 21 of the blades 18 and20 respectively of the jaw assemblies 14 and 16 of the apparatus byfirst moving the handle portion 52in an anticlockwise direction (viewingFIG. 1) against the force of the spring 58 to pivot the blade 20 of eachjaw assembly about the pin 26 thereby to open the jaw assembly. The endportions 68 and 70 of the strip are then placed between the blades ofthe jaw assemblies 14 and 16 respectively and the handle portion 52 isreleased so that the spring 58 urges are disc to return to its limitposition so that the knife-edge portions 19 and 21 of the blades of thejaw assemblies firmly grip the end portions 68 and 70 of the strip, theend portions 68 and 70 being prevented from slipping from the jawassemblies by the curved blades 20. Because the blades 18 and 20 arespaced apart by a distance which is less than the minimum width ofcross-section of the end portions of the wire, the end portions of thestrip are twisted between the blades as shown in FIG. 3 and theknife-edge portion 21 of each blade 20 and the knife edge portion 19 ofeach blade 18 shear through the uncured heat-curable material of thestrip to the conductor wire of the strip and bite into the metal of thewire so that the conductor wire is in electrical contact with the blades18 and 20 of the two assemblies. The switch 62 is then closed and theelectrical circuit is completed from the supply of electricity throughthe conductor wire of the strip, completion of the circuit beingindicated by glowing of the element of the lamp 64. The conductor wireis heated by the electric current and the heat-curable material of thestrip is heated by the wire thus causing the material to cure to aresilient state. The end portions of the strip are then released fromthe jaw assemblies of the illustrative apparatus and are then either cutofi or are inserted into a windscreen reveal moulding which is appliedafter bonding.

When the illustrative apparatus is used for connecting the resistiveconductor wire of the strip of heat-curable material in carrying out amethod as described in the last preceding paragraph, the material of thestrip can be inhibited from adhering to the blades 18 and 20 of the jawassemblies by spraying water onto the blades from the reservoir providedin the casing of the apparatus by pressing the plunger 66.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. Apparatus for connecting an electrically conducting wire with asupply of electricity comprising a support, a jaw assembly mounted onthe support, said jaw assembly comprising first and second jaw elementsspaced in first and second substantially perpendicular directions fromeach other, each element having a knife edge portion and one of theelements has an electrically conductive portion, means for moving oneelement relative to the other so that the knife edge portions of eachelement cooperate to exert a shearing :action on the wire placed betweenthe elements which is sufiicient to establish electrical contact betweenthe wire and the electrically conductive portion but is not sufiicientto sever the Wire, and means for electrically connecting theelectrically conductive portion with a supply of electricity.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein there are two jaw assembliesand the second elements thereof are each connected with said means forrelatively moving the elements, the said means being arranged so thatthe second elements may be moved simultaneously away from theirrespective first elements to allow placement of portions of theelectrically conductive wire in positions so that the wire can begripped in the jaw assemblies.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said means for moving thesecond elements comprises link members which are pivotally fastened to arotatable member and to the second element, the rotatable member beingmounted on a pin which is secured to the support.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein a spring is mounted on the pinand is arranged to urge the rotatable member to rotate to move thesecond element to a spaced position relative to the first element.

5. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the second element issubstantially S-shaped for retaining the wire in electrical contact withthe conductive element portion and is pivotally secured upon the firstelement, the first element being secured to the support.

6. Apparatus according to claim 1 and additionally comprising meanselectrically connected to the element conducting portion for visuallyindicating completion of an electrical circuit between the wire and thesupply of electricity.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,684,429 7/1954 Corr et al.219234 3,542,619 11/1970 McManus 156-275 3,574,024 4/1971 Rose 156--275X EDWARD G. WHITBY, Primary Examiner U.S. Cl. X.R.

